Next Steps

Progress towards environmental sustainability is made through a series of steps. The adoption of our Environmental Sustainability Mission Statement and the subsequent development of a Sustainability Action Plan have given us a framework and a roadmap of next steps including 44 specific tasks of varying priorities. Here are some efforts and ideas that are in their early stages.

We have committed to develop a Climate Action Plan to lay out a path to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. While deemed the highest priority in the SAP, this has been deferred, pending completion of a few critical preliminary studies.

We have initiated a Master Planning process. This has great value to the institution; from a sustainability standpoint, we will be more focused as we envision climate action proposals.

We have initiated an Energy Management Audit, including a review of the potential for generating renewable energy on and near campus (solar, wind, etc).

We have conducted a water-consumption audit and are now working to define a program to implement recommendations. Water savings of more than 1 million gallons per year are expected.

We have committed to increasing the base of knowledge about environmental sustainability–theory and practices–among our adult population, so our faculty and staff can be better teachers and role models.

We are exploring the development of a farming-themed course, possibly as a Capstone Science/English interdisciplinary course with a hands-on co-requisite.

On the horizon, we have many more–such as reviewing pesticide use, building construction practices, and cleaning practices, and displaying art works that deal with themes of sustainability.